June 2010

Recommend a door closer?

Q: (from Guy) I need a door closer that is hidden or discreet and that closes softly [probably hydraulic?] to fit an old georgian 4-panel door and frame.  The problem is the door is slammed it will crack shower tiles on the adjacent wall because the wall is flimsy and moves a little in my ancient building.  Any suggestions? A: (from Doorstuff) For a discreet door closer, you might want to go for a concealed door closer either at the jamb (AA145) or at the head of the door (the Boxer), but there needs to be enough thickness of wood for this to be an option.  See the link to our page about concealed closers here, and click through the links to view the products.  For a large door (and width is the most important dimension to consider) which can't take a concealed closer, you might go for a medium to heavy duty door closer like the TS2000 or the TS2000NV or even the lighter duty TS1500.  As you mention it’s an old Georgian door, you might also consider going for an attractive matching polished brass cover & arm to give the illusion it’s a period feature.  See the link to our page about medium duty door closers here, and click through the links to view the products.  Any of these closers can be set to close really softly with careful attention to the adjustment instructions.

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I work for a housing association and I am trying to source a privacy lock for an internal, wooden bi-fold bathroom door. What can you suggest?

We supply a mortice bathroom lock for a sliding /folding door which is used in conjunction with a normal bathroom indicator & thumbturn.  It works by splaying out the latch bolt behind the keep.  You can buy them both on our website at the link here, just scroll down the page to the section "Lock case and accessories for timber doors"

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I am trying to find H086 - 85 x 76 x 3mm lift off hinges. Our doors are 35mm, would these hinges be suitable for that?

The H086 Royde & Tucker hinges are available from us in BZP (Bright Zinc Plate) and also a wide range of other finishes.  35mm is the minimum door thickness which these hinges will suit.  They are handed left or right.

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Maximum allowable door sizes using the Geze TS500 NV?

Q: (from Mike) Could you give us some broad guidance on maximum allowable door sizes using the Geze TS500 NV:  We were hoping to have a double set of 44mm thick solid core timber doors 1050mm wide, and we have an opening height of 3.2m, for which we wish to maximise the height of the doors and avoid an obtrusive overpanel - is there a weight rule of thumb for timber doors that we could apply to determine how high we can safely go, and are there any other considerations of stability that need be considered? A (from Doorstuff) With reference to Geze's technical pdf, which you can view at the link here, and working on the approximate weight of 120kg per leaf, which we estimated from your dimensions & description, then the TS500 NV would just about do it.  However we would recommend going for the new TS550 NV as the door size & weight falls more easily into it's comfort zone, it will give a longer life expectancy as you'll not be using it anywhere near it's maximum capacity.  The TS550 NV uses the same strap & pivots as the TS500 NV.

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I am looking for an outside access handle/system through a door fitted with panic hardware inside. This is for after hours hotel guests to come and go. I need to ensure the door is self locking after access from both sides.

To do the job of locking automatically upon closing, we recommend the Exidor 305 mortice operators.  On the inside (push to escape) side of the door you have a normal push bar which comes with a lock case which is morticed into the door.  It comes with a euro profile cylinder and escutcheon as standard so guests may enter from the outside with just a key OR, if you would prefer to give guests a code to enter, then the CL1 mechanical digital lock (with a door handle) is compatible.  If you decide not use a CL1, then you might add a pull handle to the outside of the door.  The 425mm long "D" pull handle in Brushed Stainless Steel is the minimum to meet the Disability Discrimination Act.

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I require internal door closers for upvc doors, the profile is Kommerling Connoisseur Gold system.

When choosing a door closer for a uPVC door, similar criteria apply to when choosing for a timber door; How wide is the door? What is its function? Do they open out or open in? etc.  We suggest selecting a door closer which has an optional mounting plate, especially as you have a special profile.  For outward opening doors, you’ll need to fit the closer to the frame and the arm to the door, and if its in a windy location, consider a back check door closer like the TS2000 BC or TS4000.

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Fitting a door closer to an arched door?

Q: (from John) I am a carpenter and have been asked to fit a door closer at a primary school. The door however is an arched one. I fitted some spring hinges, along with a hydraulic hinge. This worked for a short period but the hinges are not man enough. I feel a traditional overhead door closer would work, do you sell a bracket which fits an arched frame or will I have to get one made? I have taken a photo of the door. A: (from Doorstuff) Some arches are suitable for overhead door closers, it depends on the steepness and characteristics of the arch. This would be called a "Lazy Arch", and we think a door closer would work perfectly well.  A steeper "Gothic Arch" with a pointed arch would not accept a door closer, in which case you'd have to use a floor sping door closer with rocker arm.

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I have built 2 wardrobes, originally I was intending to hang 2 x 444mm doors on each carcass using standard sprung hinges. Unfortunately this would leave no space between the wardrobe and the bed, therefore I am now looking at a sliding door system. I need a system which will fulfill my dimensions and provide tracks for both top and bottom, along with all other hardware in terms of rollers etc. Please could you advise on a suitable system which would provide everything I need?

As long as your doors are no more than 25kg each and 12mm minimum thickness, then we would recommend the Jason sliding door gear: 4J - 2 door kit 1200mm (47") which you can cut down to size.  This will give you bottom running track with the wheels and a top guide track to allow the 2 doors to run past each other.